The White House

　　The White House has been the home of every UnitedStates president except George Washington2 .Abigail Adams3 was the first“First Lady” to move intothe Pennsylvania Avenue mansion. She used tohang her family’s laundry in the unfinished EastRoom4. The White House was burned by the Britishduring the War of 1812. Soon after, the house wasrebuilt and painted white, and it has been known as the White House ever since .

　　The White House is both a public house and a private home. Its character changes with eachnew president. Gas lighting was installed in 1848, but bathrooms were not added until thirtyyears later. By 1950 , the building was no longer safe to live in . The Truman5 family moved outwhile repairs were made. Jacqueline Kennedy6 developed the plan to decorate the White Houseas it is today.

　　The 132 -room mansion is furnished with antiques, portraits of the presidents, and other artwork. The President’s Oval Office7 and staff offices are on the ground floor. The state receptionrooms are on the first floor. The second and third floors are where the president and his familylive.

　　The job of President is very demanding. Every minute of every day is planned. The Presidentmay start with a breakfast meeting with his Cabinet, move on to the East Room for a pressconference, meet with a foreign ambassador in the Blue Room, then end the day at a dinner inthe State Dining Room.

　　The President and his family share their home with the public every morning. Long lines stretchfor blocks. They wait for a chance to see the nation’s most popular house, and possibly aglimpse of the President.

　　阅读自测

　　Ⅰ. Fill in the blanks with proper prepositions:

　　1. He was known_______ a great novelist.

　　2. My mother is known_______ her cooking.

　　3. He’s known_______ everyone as a good actor.

　　Ⅱ. Answer the following questions:

　　1. What happened to the White House during the War of 1812?

　　2. How is the White House furnished?

　　参考答案

　　Ⅰ. 1. as 2 . for 3. to

　　Ⅱ. 1. It was burned by the British. 2. It’s furnishedwith antiques, portraits of the presidents, and otherartwork.

　　参考译文

　　美国历史的见证——白宫

　　除 乔治· 华盛顿以外, 白宫是历任美国总统的家。阿比盖尔· 亚当斯是第一位搬进这 幢位于宾夕法尼亚林荫道的官邸的美国“ 第一夫人”。住进白宫以后, 她常常将家人洗好 的衣物挂在当时还未建好的东厅里。白宫在1812 年英美战争期间曾被英军烧毁。其后不 久, 这所房子得以重建, 而且漆成了白色, 从此被冠以雅号“ 白宫”

　　白宫既是公众场所, 又是总统自己的家。随着美国总统的交替更迭, 白宫的特点也随 之改变。1848 年, 白宫安装了煤气照明系统, 但是30 年后, 白宫才有了自己的浴室。到 1950 年的时候, 白宫已不适于居住, 成为危楼。在白宫进行修葺的时候, 杜鲁门总统一家 只好搬了出去。杰奎琳· 肯尼迪想出了装修白宫的方案, 如今白宫仍然保留着那时的样 子。

　　白宫有132 个房间, 房间里配有古董、历届总统的肖像以及其他艺术品。总统的椭圆 形办公室和工作人员的办公室在一楼, 国家会客室在二楼, 而三楼和四楼则是总统和他的 家人住的地方。

　　总统的工作非常具有挑战性, 工作表每天都排得满满的。总统每天早上会先同内阁开 个早餐会, 然后到东厅参加记者招待会, 在蓝厅接见一位外国大使, 最后到国宴厅吃晚饭, 结束一整天的工作。

　　总统及家人每天上午同美国公众共同享有他们的家。白宫外长长的队伍排了好几个 街区。他们等着一睹美国最受欢迎的房子, 很可能还能有幸看到美国总统。